Week #4: Armetta Family Travels

Last Friday the Armetta family finally arrived in Florence! This week included food, laughs, and of course, lots of travel. Within the week that my parents were here, we traveled to Rome, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Venice. I loved showing them around Florence and having them meet my host family. My Dad speaks Neapolitan, just like my host mother, Paola, so when they met, the conversation was endless. This didn't differ from any other communication that anyone has with my Dad, just this time, it was all in Italian.

The first two days my parents and Jaclyn were here, we stayed in Florence. This allowed me to show them around and go out to dinner with Amanda. I brought them to the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and of course, All' antico Vinaio. That Friday, I also showed them to my apartment and introduced them to my entire host family. My host mom won't stop telling me how lovely my family was and about how she loved talking to my dad. The next day, Sunday, we hopped on a train from Santa Maria Novella to Rome, where we toured the Colosseum and Ancient Rome. The weather was beautiful, and we definitely got our steps in. Five years ago, my family and I left seashells inside the walls of the Colosseum, hoping to leave a part of us in Rome. Sadly, upon touring the Colosseum, though, we checked the same spot that we left them, and they were gone. It was still a great day, though; after we ate at a restaurant where we ate pizza, pasta, and yummy dessert.

While I remained in Florence to attend class on Monday, the rest of my family traveled to Naples to visit my Dad's relatives there. There, they were treated to a delicious meal made by my Grandma Carmella and the company of family. The following Tuesday, I took the bus to the train station directly after my last class. I took the 3-hour train to Naples, where I was greeted by my Uncle Vinny at the platform. Last week, Prof. Fischer told us that if you ever drive in Naples, you'll never forget it. Boy, was he right. I don't know how I made it out alive. All the cars swerve in between each other with no regard. Even the pedestrians walk into the street to cross with the expectation that the cars will go around them. That night, I went out to dinner with my entire family, where we had lots and lots of seafood. I tried a raw shrimp for the first time, and it was...interesting. The rest of the food was great, though. I ate octopus, eggplant parmesan, and lots of bread. The next day my family and I packed into my Uncle Vinny's car and drove an hour and a half to the Amalfi Coast. Honestly, the views were the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Seeing the mountains so close to the water and all the small towns, it made me appreciate nature and just living in general. At Ravello, I felt like we were alone on Earth. Being up so high in the mountains with no one but the locals around, I felt so at peace. That night, we said goodbye to my grandma Carmella and my aunt and uncle and left for a long ride back to Florence.

Yesterday was my parents' last full day in Italy. Initially, we were supposed to go to Venice on Sunday; however, there were no more train tickets available, so went yesterday instead. Venice was unlike any other city I've seen before. I never truly realized it but getting to and from different parts of Venice require you to go by boat. I knew that Venice was on the water but I never truly understood what it actually takes to travel around there. We came to Venice at the perfect time because they're celebrating Carnevale there. The celebration of Carnevale takes place annually and is a festival founded in Venice. The carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter, on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. During Carnevale, people dress up, wearing elaborate masks and costumes. There is also typical Carnevale food served during this time, such as chiacchiere (fried dough strips), frittelle (fried dough balls), and in Florence, schiacciata alla Fiorentina (a Florentine sweet flatbread with powdered sugar on top with the Florence lily for decoration). While in Venice, we toured the Doge's Palace, which was beautiful, and of course, we had to a gondola ride down the canals of Venice. Upon returning home to Florence, I ate dinner with my family, treated them to gelato at Grom for dessert (still my favorite spot), and said my goodbyes to my family. I'm so glad they had the opportunity to visit me here and that I was able to spend quality time with them.

If I could use one word to describe this week, it would be hectic. Although my family was here and it was great, them visiting definitely threw me out of my typical schedule. Just as I was feeling entirely comfortable, I had to adjust to usually being here by myself with my friends to spending time with my family. This week, I was the one in charge of showing them around and getting us from place to place. Sitting here today alone at Shake Café, all I feel is drained and low energy. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing my family, but this weekend is definitely going to be one of recharging and recovering from a hectic, jam-packed week. I was able to wake up late this morning, and I look forward to doing the same tomorrow.

Looking forward to another great week!

Love, Sam ❤